Golf practice tent

ABSTRACT

A golf practice tent having a ceiling, a floor and an open face for accepting golf balls that have been launched into the tent; a rigid frame structure at least partially external to the tent that provides structural support for the tent; and a planar net coupled to the ceiling of the tent and separated from a rear panel of the tent, such that the net hangs loosely from the ceiling and extends towards the floor, wherein the net is placed behind the open face such that golf balls that have been launched into the tent contact the net.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of sports, and morespecifically to training aids for the sport of golf.

BACKGROUND

The game of golf is well known and enjoyed by multitudes of peoplearound the world. It is well known that may golf players practice thegame of golf by hitting golf balls using various golf clubs at drivingranges. It is also well known that many golf players practice golf byhitting golf balls into a net surrounded by a rigid metal frame.Additionally, it is also well known in the golfing industry to practicegolf by hitting a golf ball directly into a golf practice tent. Suchtents use panels that are generally comprised of a taut mesh or net.

Regarding driving ranges, one problem associated with said ranges isthat a golfer must have a large amount of space in order to practicehitting a golf ball. Additionally, driving ranges can be expensive andan individual may not be able to use the driving range in inclementweather. Regarding nets surrounded by rigid frames, one problemassociated with said nets is that in many cases such rigid frames cannotbe easily broken down and transported. Another problem associated with anet surrounded by a rigid frame is that a user may have to have adedicated area in order to store such devices. Further, a common problemwith nets surrounded by rigid frames is that golf balls hit a highspeeds can puncture the net or other fabric.

Currently in the golf industry market, when using a golf practice tent,a golfer will hit the ball directly into the panel or tent. As a golfball leaves the face of the club upon being struck, a golf ball has ahigh velocity which can be dangerous. One problem currently associatedwith golf training tents having rigid or taut mesh panels, is that asthe golf ball strikes the taut panel, there is a danger or risk that thegolf ball will burst through the panels of the tents. As a result, manygolf practice tent manufacturers and distributors encourage players touse a soft or plastic ball instead of a hard golf ball, so that the riskof damaging the tent and risk of injury to a golfer is reduced. Manygolf players become frustrated or dislike using these plastic or fakegolf balls, however, because such balls do not accurately simulate thefeel of playing golf.

As a result, there exists a need for improvements over the prior art andmore particularly for a golf training aid that allows a user to use areal golf ball and which decreases safety risks to the user and thelikelihood of damage to the golf training aid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A golf training tent is disclosed. This Summary is provided to introducea selection of disclosed concepts in a simplified form that are furtherdescribed below in the Detailed Description including the drawingsprovided. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter. Nor is this Summaryintended to be used to limit the claimed subject matter's scope.

In one embodiment, a golf practice tent is disclosed. The golf practicetent comprises a tent having a ceiling, a floor and an open face foraccepting golf balls that have been launched into the tent; a rigidframe structure at least partially external to the tent that providesstructural support for the tent; and a planar net coupled to the ceilingof the tent and separated from a rear panel of the tent, such that thenet hangs loosely from the ceiling and extends towards the floor,wherein the net is placed behind the open face such that golf balls thathave been launched into the tent contact the net.

Additional aspects of the disclosed embodiment will be set forth in partin the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the disclosed embodiments.The aspects of the disclosed embodiments will be realized and attainedby means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out inthe appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoinggeneral description and the following detailed description are exemplaryand explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosedembodiments, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute partof this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention andtogether with the description, serve to explain the principles of thedisclosed embodiments. The embodiments illustrated herein are presentlypreferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is notlimited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front prospective view of a golf practice tent, according toan example embodiment;

FIG. 2 is another front prospective view of the golf practice tent,according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of an extension member of thepractice golf tent, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the golf practice tent, accordingto an example embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the golf practice tent, according to anotherexample embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the golf practice tent, according to anotherexample embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the golf practice tent, according to anotherexample embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.Whenever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawingsand the following description to refer to the same or similar elements.While disclosed embodiments may be described, modifications,adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example,substitutions, additions or modifications may be made to the elementsillustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may bemodified by substituting reordering, or adding additional stages orcomponents to the disclosed methods and devices. Accordingly, thefollowing detailed description does not limit the disclosed embodiments.Instead, the proper scope of the disclosed embodiments is defined by theappended claims.

The disclosed embodiments improve upon the problems with the prior artby providing a golf training tent having a net coupled to the tent. Thedisclosed embodiments improve over the prior art by providing a golftraining tent that allows a user to use real golf balls while reducingthe risk of physical injury and likelihood of damage to the practicetraining tent. Additionally, the invention improves over the prior artby providing a collapsible training aid which can be easily carried andstored both indoors and outdoors. Lastly, the disclosed embodimentsimprove over the prior art by providing a golf training tent thatretains golf balls that have been hit into the tent at any speed,thereby facilitating the retrieval of the golf balls for the player.

Referring now to the Figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspectiveview of a golf practice patent 100, according to an example embodiment.The golf practice tent comprises a tent 110. The tent comprises a fabricor material supported by a rigid frame structure comprising a pluralityof rigid frame members 115. In one embodiment, the rigid frame structureis at least partially external to the tent. Each of the rigid framemembers has an elongated bar shaped body that may be hingedly or movablyconnected to other frame members so that the frame structure can becollapsible, which is well known to those skilled in the art of tentmaking. The fabric of tent may be attached to the tent by a plurality offasteners 117. In the present embodiment, such fasteners are straps.However, other fasteners may be used. The fabric or material may beformed from cotton, canvas, nylon, mesh, netting, material having waterresistant properties, felt, polyester or any combination thereof. Suchmaterials are not meant to be a limitation and other materials may beused. The frame structure elements may be formed from materials such asaluminum, fiberglass, metals, wood, plastic or any combination thereof.As with the type of fabric used, such materials are not meant to be alimitation and other materials may be used.

Note that in one embodiment, the fabric of tent 110 may be attached tothe tent by a system of sleeves or a plurality of fasteners, which maycomprise, for example, a hook, a toggle with straps, or hook and loopfabric tape. The disclosed embodiments support one or more of thevarious forms of attaching the fabric to the tent, as well as thevarious forms of fasteners.

In the present embodiment, the tent is a collapsible tent. In FIG. 1,the tent is in the fully built or assembled position. When not in use,the tent may be collapsed into a fully folded position so that the tentmay be easily transported and stored. Collapsible tents are well knownto those skilled in the art. In other embodiments, the tent may be apermanently erected tent. Also, in other embodiments (not shown), thepanels of the tent may comprise separate sections that are joinedtogether instead of one piece of continuous fabric. Note that in oneembodiment, the collapsible tent is configured for deployment andcollapsing very quickly, such as within less than 10 seconds, andwherein the collapsible tent is configured for placement on anysubstantially horizontal surface, such that a consumer may utilize saidtent in any indoor or outdoor location that has enough room for saidtent.

The tent has a front end 111 which opposes a rear end 113. As shown inFIG. 1, when supported by the rigid frame structure, the fabric forms aceiling 120, a floor 125 opposing the ceiling, and a rear panel 130,which spans from the floor to the ceiling at the rear end of the tent.The tent may also include side panels 135 that span from the rear end tothe front end of the tent. In one embodiment, the side panels may spanfrom the ceiling to the floor. However, in other embodiments, the sidepanels may only partially span from the ceiling to the floor (as shownin FIG. 1).

At the front end, the tent may include fabric that forms a front panel140 that has an open face or front opening 145 that provides access toinside the tent. The open face is adapted to accept golf balls that willbe launched at the tent. In one embodiment, the top segment of the frontpanel 140 acts to stop golf balls that have been hit into the net 150and continue rolling upwards along the net and then back towards thegolfer. In this embodiment, the top segment of the front panel acts as abarrier to stop golf balls that are rolling out of the tent and backtowards the golfer. In another embodiment, the side segments of thefront panel 140 act to stop golf balls that have been hit into the net150 and roll along the sides of the tent and back towards the golfer. Inyet another embodiment (see FIG. 4), the disclosed embodiments includetriangular shaped panels (such as panel 410) located in the cornerswhere the side segments of the front panel contact the floor. In thisembodiment, the triangular shaped panels act as barriers to stop golfballs that are rolling out of the tent via the corners of the tent. Notethat although this embodiment describes triangular shaped panels, thedisclosed embodiments support other shapes for the panels, such asrectangular, circular, or irregular. Also, said triangular shaped panelsmay be collapsible.

In yet another embodiment (see FIG. 4), the disclosed embodimentsinclude rectangular shaped panels 420 that extend laterally outwardsfrom the tent and contact the floor. Each rectangular shaped panel 420(one on the right side and/or one on the left side of the tent) would beattached to the tent and extend laterally outwards from the tent,thereby producing a planar face that faces the golfer. In thisembodiment, the rectangular shaped panels 420 act as barriers to stopgolf balls that have been hit towards the tent but that miss the tentaltogether. These panels facilitate stopping retrieving balls that havebeen mis-hit or misdirected when hit towards the tent. Note thatalthough this embodiment describes rectangular shaped panels, thedisclosed embodiments support other shapes for the panels, such astriangular, circular, or irregular. Also, said rectangular shaped panelsmay be collapsible.

A planar net 150 is coupled to the ceiling of the tent 120. Optionally,the net 150 may be alternatively or additionally attached to the sidesof the tent (135, 130, 140, etc.) as well. The net may comprise materialsuch as nylon, knotted twine, rope, or any other material used formaking nets, which is well known to those skilled in the art. Theopenings in the net should be adapted such as to prevent golf balls frompassing through the net. The net should be attached such that it isseparated from the rear panel 130 and such that it hangs loosely fromthe ceiling and extends towards the floor 125 of the tent. A pluralityof fasteners or straps 155 spaced along the net portions of the netattach the net to portions of the tent. In the present embodiment, thenet is positioned behind the front opening or open face and attached tothe front panel and ceiling by straps. Additionally, straps may also beused to attach a portion of the net to the back panel as long as the nethangs loosely from the ceiling to the floor. The net must be somewhatloose when it is hung so that when a golf ball is launched into the net,the net can absorb the velocity of the golf ball and thereby preventingor reducing damage to the tent and injury to individuals.

In one embodiment, the net may also include a pocket or pouch 160 (seeFIG. 2). The pocket or pouch comprises a circular opening on the netthat is sized for receiving golf balls and fabric or material that formsa sac of the pocket that is adapted for retaining any golf ball thatenters into the opening. Additionally, the size of the opening of thepocket or pouch may be changed to adjust for the level of difficulty.For example, to make it more difficult for a player or individual to hita ball into the opening of the pouch or pocket, the dimensions of theopening may be decreased. Alternatively, to make it easier for a playeror individual to hit a ball into the opening of the pouch or pocket, thedimensions of the opening may be increased.

In operation, a player or individual may use the pouch on the net forpractice or games. A player may have a goal to strike a golf ball suchthat the golf ball goes through the opening of the pouch into the sac. Aplayer may use this goal to practice various chip shots and other golfshots that require accuracy.

Note that in one embodiment, the floor 125 may be coupled (via stitchingor via the use of a zipper) solely to the rear panel 130 of the tent.This allows for the floor 125 to be rolled up into a cylindrical form502 (see FIG. 5), which allows for users to have access to the ground,which may be desirable in certain situations, such as at a park or atthe beach.

FIG. 2 illustrates another front perspective view of the golf practicetent, according to another embodiment. FIG. 2 further illustrates straps155 attaching portions of net to various portions of the tent 100. FIG.2 illustrates that straps attach the net to the rear panel 130 as wellas to various positions on the front panel 140 of the tent.

In one embodiment, the frame members 115 at the rear end 113 of the tentcan comprise an extension member 205 for increasing the length of therear frame members. FIG. 2 illustrates the rear frame members of thetent in an extended position. In such extended position, the length ofthe frame members at the rear end 113 of the tent are longer than theframe members at the front end 111 of the tent and as a result, thefloor or bottom section 125 of the tent is tilted towards the front endof the tent. When the floor is tilted towards the front end of the tent,angle β between the floor and the ground causes any golf ball thatenters into the tent, and not substantially held by the net, to rolltowards the front end of the tent. Additionally, the net may alsocomprise a drawstring for removing slack from the net. Such drawstringsare well known to those skilled in the art and can be used to tightenthe net so that when golf balls are hit into the net, and when the floorof the tent is tilted towards the front end of the tent forming angle β,golf balls hit into the net may be more easily retrieved.

In one embodiment, the inclined floor 125 may be supported by sidereinforcement rods 602 (see FIG. 6), which may be composed of fiberglasspoles or other rigid materials. The side reinforcement rods 602 may belocated on both bottom sides of the tent 100 to prevent the floor 125from slacking or producing a U-shaped depression, therefore maintainingtension on said floor. The tightened and tilted floor 125 comprises aretrieval system for golf balls hit into the tent 100.

FIG. 3 further illustrates one embodiment of a means for extending thelength of a frame member. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of theextension member 205 of the rear frame members taken along line A inFIG. 2. The extension member can be a tubular shaped body that isadapted to receive the lower end of a frame member 115. Along thetubular shaped body are a pair of opposing holes or openings 310. Eachof the opposing holes are adapted to receive a movable button 315 on thelower end of the frame member 115. Each of the buttons can be adapted tomove inward when inward forces are applied to it and are adapted toreturn to their original position when such forces are removed. Inoperation, the forces applied to the button can move the buttons inwardso that the button can clear the body of the extension member allowingthe rigid frame member to move between the sets of holes on the body ofthe extension member 205. After the frame member is at the preferredposition, and the buttons align with a set of holes, the inward forcescan be removed from the button allowing the buttons to return to theiroriginal position and locking the frame member into position inside theextension member. The extension member allow a user to adjust the lengthof the rigid frame members depending on the preference of the user.However other embodiments, are within the scope and spirit of theinvention.

In one embodiment, the extension members may be composed of a flexiblematerial, such as plastic, polymers, metal, alloys, ceramic, carbonfibers, of or other materials with characteristics that allow forflexibility of the extension member.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claims.

We claim:
 1. A golf practice tent comprising: a tent having a ceiling, afloor and an open face for accepting golf balls that have been launchedinto the tent; a rigid frame structure at least partially external tothe tent that provides structural support for the tent; and a planar netcoupled to the ceiling of the tent and separated from a rear panel ofthe ter such that the net hangs loosely from the ceiling and extendstowards the floor, wherein the net is placed behind the open face suchthat golf balls that have been launched into the tent contact the net.2. The golf practice tent of claim 1, wherein a plurality of fastenersare spaced along net, and wherein each fastener is adapted for attachinga portion of the net to a portion of the tent.
 3. The golf practice tentof claim 1, wherein the tent is changeable between a lapsed position anda built position.
 4. The golf practice tent of claim 1, wherein each ofthe fasteners is a strap.
 5. The golf practice tent of claim 2, whereinthe net further comprises at least one pouch adapted for receiving agolf ball.
 6. The golf practice tent of claim 1, wherein the rigid framestructure comprises a set of front frame members and a set of rear framemembers, wherein each of the rear frame members are extendable such whenthe rear members are extended the floor of the tent is tilted towardsthe open face of the tent.
 7. The golf practice tent of claim 3, whereinthe net further comprises a drawstring for removing slack from the net.8. A golf practice tent comprising a planar net for coupling to aceiling of the tent and separated from a rear panel of the tent, suchthat the net hangs loosely from the ceiling, wherein the net isproximate to a front opening of the tent such that golf balls that havebeen launched into the tent contact the net, wherein a rigid framestructure provide structural support to the tent, and wherein a floor ofthe tent is angled to allow for golf balls on the floor to roll out ofthe tent.
 9. The golf practice tent from claim 8, wherein a plurality offasteners are spaced along the net and wherein each fastener is adaptedfor attaching a portion of the net to a portion of the tent.
 10. Thegolf practice tent from claim 9, wherein at least two of the pluralityof fasteners attach the net proximate to the front opening of the tent.11. The golf practice tent from claim 8, wherein the net furthercomprises at least one pouch adapted for receiving a golf ball.
 12. Thegolf practice tent from claim 10, wherein the rigid frame structure ofthe tent comprises a set of front frame members and a set of rear framemembers, wherein each of the rear frame members are extendable such whenthe rear members are extended a floor of the tent is tilted towards thefront opening of the tent.
 13. (canceled)
 14. A golf practice tentcomprising: a collapsible tent having a ceiling, a floor and a frontopening for accepting golf balls that have been launched into the tent,and wherein the tent is changeable between a collapsed position and abuilt position; a frame structure at least partially external to thetent that provides structural support for the tent; a planar net coupledto the ceiling of the tent and separated from a rear panel of the tent,such that the net hangs loosely from the ceiling and extends towards thefloor, wherein the net is placed proximate to the front opening suchthat golf balls that have been launched into the tent contact the net;and, wherein a plurality of straps are spaced along the net, and whereineach strap is adapted for attaching a portion of the net to a portion ofthe tent.
 15. The golf practice tent of claim 14, wherein the netfurther comprises at least one pouch adapted for receiving a golf ball.16. The golf practice tent of claim 14, wherein the rigid framestructure comprises a set of front frame members and a set of rear framemembers, wherein each of the rear frame members are extendable such thatwhen the rear frame members are extended the floor of the ten is tiltedtowards the front opening of the tent.
 17. The golf practice tent ofclaim 14, wherein the net further comprises a drawstring for removingslack from the net.
 18. The golf practice tent of claim 14, wherein thetent further comprises at least one triangular panel located at a cornerof the front opening of the tent.
 19. The golf practice tent of claim14, wherein the tent further comprises at least one rectangular panellocated at a side of the tent and extending laterally outwards from thetent
 20. The golf practice tent of claim 14, wherein the collapsibletent is configured for deployment and collapsing within less than 10seconds, and wherein the collapsible tent is configured for placement onany substantially horizontal surface.